The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-04-14
Washington Letter.

Next month The National Capitol {
will see more Of" the pomp. and cir
of war" than ever before.
IL is bable too that the largest crowd
OF visitors that ever assembled in this
city will come to witness the most
novel event that will take place here
during the present year. The National
nriil will commence on the 23rd OF
Nav and close on the Both of that
moath, Decoration Day" with q
grand combination parade upon the
broad asphalt streets, of soldiers from
everywhere. :
The North, South, East and West,
Lake regions and Gulf sections will be
represented by their contingent OF
sightseers as-well as their citizen sol |
diery who will compete for the prizes.
May finds Washington in its glory,
fresh verdure, balmy air and flowers,
and military displays are always pop
ular. The flare of brass bands, the
shrill piping of flies, the heroic
voices of the bugles,' the rattling
drums, the FURNISHED arms, brilliant
uniforms, prancing steeds, white city
of tents, and flying banners always
appeal to the senses and martial spirit
of the people.
The grounds for the camp are the
monument grounds lying around
Washington Monument, and the drill
ground is that level ellipse lying just
south of the White House, known as
the White lot This level plain is one
half mile in circumference, and stands
will be erected around it on which to
seat the spectators. Here will daily
be held the contests TO, prove the tx
cellence of the cavalry, infantry, ar
tillery and ZouaVe tactics. Every eve
ming during drill week there will be a
grand brigade dress parade, and Oh
Governors day and Memorial day the
entire army corps from Camp George
Washington will parade through the
streets of the city. Each evening also
the grounds will be illuminated for
promenade concerts, and other attrac,
tions which are being prepared for the
public.
Besides the $26, 500 to be distributed
to be gold, silver and bronze medals
special medals and plate trophies and
stands of colors. Some of the compa
MES which are entered for the drill
have said in advance that they have
no expectation of winning prizes bu
that they are coming simply for thu
recreation and pleasure of the trip
Thirty-six States are already repre-
sented in the applications made 70
:, entry. and yesterday one was received
= at the drill headquarters from Dakota
One very important feature of tn
affair is the provision for board an
shelter for the immense crowd of Wis
itors that will come. Washington
:" city of hotels and boarding houses
1t was not crowded during the Clevs
=, land inaug guration, although it was ei
- timated that there were then tw
- hundred thousand strangers in tf
~ city. Washington offers many il
lOI WCCh tlelt UcStu
III the National Drill. 1t is by far IL
most beautiful as we'll as the most il
=. teresting city in the Union, and A
~ lington, Bladensburg, Mt. Verno
he Harper's Ferry, and many other hi
toric spots are close by.
- The action of the two military col
~ papies in withdrawing form the DIR
because of the participation of color
' ~ troops in the contest, created no lit
surprise among the managers. At fl
they were disposed TO discredit t
- dispai ches from Albany. When III
G were confirmed, Secretary DeLeon,
the Drill committee, remarked that
N N' did not propose to criticise the wit
- drawal ofthe Montgomery compani
49, they had perfect right to come
not as they pleased; but regaTdi
the admission of the Virginia ST,
" Guards, he said that they are rect
ie' nized as regularly organized soldi
of the State of Virginia, and til
right to enter could not be denied I
er, ;,,;, ,;I;+,rr or NO,
Il ucI duy law, CLNIis LhiAl0AJ Va hh0i
~ Gev. Lee has assigned them places
n the military ceremonies at the layi
of the corner stone of Richmon
City Hall. .'Our Com mittee," 8,
he, is composed almost entirely
~ Democrats aud of Southern men,
- there was not the least hesitancy
- delay when the first colored compa
- made its formal application.
The Montgomery Grays and
True Blues are the only organizatit
er. which have Withdrawn, but in vi
.ra of the fact that colOred soldiery tC
riff, part in the inauguration of Presid'
his Cleveland without giving otfense
on. any section, it is to be regretted Il
the the admission of colored military
for National Encampment of volunt
GOT soIdiery, intended to illustrate tn
, in proficiency in the manual of arI
,on should be construed as an impropri
ave by even two companies.